I Thought You'D Be Glad To See Me? - Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You were the one who told me, Many years ago...The way I lived was unacceptable.

The fact that I live the way I do, I remember when you said to me...How much I embarrassed you.

And when you drove me to the suburbs, You rushed me into your home.And insisted I speak quietly, As to not disturb your neighbors...Entertaining in the backyards, While talking loudly on their cellphones.

And when I requested to sit in the Sun on your deck...You rushed me to your garage, To show me tools and artifacts you collected.

I am totally baffled, By your appearance.And why you are here.

You were the one who told me, Many years ago...The way I lived was unacceptable.And you made that quite clear.

Does your appearance have anything to do, With you losing your job? Does it have anything to do with your eviction? And repossessions from those possessions, From you that have been dissolved.

I remember standing outside, In the pouring rain...When you waved to drive away.And that was just two months ago, As you shouted out of your car window...To quickly say, 'I have an important meeting to attend.I'm in a hurry.Have a good day.'

And today you claim, To be passing through my neighborhood.But you're needing to pay the cabdriver.And if you can borrow twenty bucks from me...That should take care of the fare, And all is good.

No it isn't.What do you take me for? Nevermind! That's not a question.

I'm going to give you fourty bucks.Half to pay for the cab...And the other half, To get away from my door!